Grilling meets distilling as Ardbeg serves up its first BBQ-inspired whisky

Introducing Ardbeg BizarreBQ – a mouth-watering Limited-Edition Single Malt cooked up by Master Distiller, Dr Bill Lumsden, in partnership with pitmaster DJ BBQ

Ardbeg is launching Ardbeg BizarreBQ – the Distillery’s first ever Limited-Edition barbecue-inspired whisky. Cooked up by the experimental and eccentric mind of Ardbeg’s Director of Whisky Creation, Dr Bill Lumsden, this whisky captures and complements the flavours of smoky barbeque. The unique flavour concept for the expression has been aided by the expertise of grilling guru, Christian Stevenson (AKA DJ BBQ), resulting in an Ardbeg that packs a meaty, peaty punch.

Like grilling, distilling shares a key element when it comes to the creation of flavour – fire. Using an experimental cask toasting process, the recipe for Ardbeg BizarreBQ is made up of double-charred oak casks, Pedro Ximénez sherry casks and the distillery’s unique BBQ casks that have been extra-charred on an old-fashioned brazier. This cask combination comes together to imbue a mouth-watering sweet, tangy and smoky flavour that’s perfectly suited to barbecuing. 

Bottled at 50.9% ABV, this Limited-Edition whisky has been inspired by the Islay Distillery’s ongoing collaboration with DJ BBQ, which began in 2020. Fuelled by a shared obsession for smoke and its rich flavour possibilities, Dr Bill and DJ BBQ have been on a mission to create a new Single Malt that complements both whisky-making and barbequing. As one of the world’s most awarded smoky malts, Ardbeg is renowned for its smoke mastery, and so the new expression also marks the next phase of the distillery’s journey to uncover new ways of experiencing and enjoying smoky flavours.

Dr Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s Director of Whisky Creation, commented: “Ardbeg BizarreBQ is certainly a hare-brained idea, but with DJ BBQ’s help I was able to cook up something truly incredible. Puffs of charcoal and soot mingle with smoky wood and aromatic herbs and spices. The undeniable smell of bonfire and BBQ embers linger in the background. Deep, warming smoke follows in flame-grilled steak, chilli oil, cured leather and clove. If there’s one Ardbeg you want with you grill-side, it’s this one.”

Christian Stevenson (DJ BBQ) said: “Barbeque lovers and Ardbeg lovers are one and the same - it’s all about the smoke – which is something Ardbeg BizarreBQ has in spades. I’ve been on a mission to create and perfect a variety of BBQ dishes and accompanying Ardbeg serves that honour the fundamental laws of smoke, wood and heat for some time. This new Limited-Edition Ardbeg takes this match made in heaven to the next level, and I can’t wait for BBQ and whisky fans to try it.” 

Fans can also head over to ardbeg.com to watch the hijinks as they happened when DJ BBQ joined Dr Bill at Ardbeg Distillery on Islay to lend a hand in creating this mouthwatering malt. 

Ardbeg BizarreBQ Limited Edition will be available initially from the Ardbeg Distillery Visitor Centre on Islay and in Germany from 3rd April 2023 onwards. It will launch in global markets later this year and in the UK in June, and will be available from Ardbeg Embassies, whisky specialists, online retailers and from the Distillery Visitor Centre.

For more news on Ardbeg BizarreBQ and all things Ardbeg, and how smoky malt whisky lovers can be a part of Ardbeg’s global Committee, visit Ardbeg.com. 

BizarreBQ Limited Edition Tasting Notes

 Colour: Glowing Charcoal Embers

Aroma: Puffs of charcoal and soot mingle with smoky wood and aromatic herbs and spices. Treacle toffee, hickory smoked ham and cinnamon-dusted espresso rise up.

A splash of water releases distinctively sharp citrus aromas, along with herbal notes such as fennel and aniseed. Grilled artichokes and a suggestion of seared meat sizzle the senses. The undeniable smell of bonfire and BBQ embers lingers in the background.

Taste: The mouthfeel is alive with spice, like BBQ ribs smothered in chilli. A myriad of deep, warming smoke follows close behind in flame-grilled steak, chilli oil, cured leather and clove. Ginger, aniseed and tar crackle on the palate with an aromatic woodsmoke edge.

Finish:The massive, hot aftertaste lingers on and on with more grilled artichoke, black olives and a sooty note that slowly simmers away.

ABV: 50.9%  

RRP: £75

More information

Ardbeg

Ardbeg prides itself on being The Ultimate Islay Malt Whisky. Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by connoisseurs around the world as the peatiest, smokiest and most complex of all the Islay malts. Despite its smokiness, Ardbeg is renowned for its delicious sweetness, a phenomenon that has affectionately become known as ‘the peaty paradox’. During the 1980s and 1990s, Ardbeg suffered from an uncertain future, and it was not until the brand was purchased by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997 that the Distillery was saved from extinction. Since then, the Distillery has risen like a phoenix and today Ardbeg is well established as a niche, cult malt, with a passionate following. 

Christian Stevenson (DJ BBQ)

DJ BBQ (aka Christian Stevenson) is a live fire chef and a leading name in the world of BBQ. After a successful broadcasting career he harnessed his passion for cooking over fire and now has his own YouTube channel and is also a regular on Jamie Oliver's FoodTube. DJ BBQ stars in and hosts festivals including Meatopia, The Big Feastival, Camp Bestival, Grilltopia and The Big Grill. He is the author of Fire Food (2018), The Burger Book (2019) and Fire Feasts (2022).

In 2020, Ardbeg partnered with the ‘catertainment’ star and certified pitmaster to create The Smoke Sessions - an online series which offers a guide to mouthwatering barbecue serves, and smoky whisky cocktails. This was followed by the BizarreBQ World Tour, where DJ BBQ embarked on a global mission to find fellow smoke obsessives and uncover some of the weirdest and wildest BBQ dishes in all the land.

The Ardbeg Committee

The legacy of the whisky was safeguarded in 2000 by the formation of the Ardbeg Committee. The Committee is made up of thousands of Ardbeg followers worldwide who are keen to ensure that “the doors of Ardbeg never close again”. Today there are more than 180,000 members of the Ardbeg Committee in over 130 countries. Committee Members are regularly consulted on new bottlings and expressions and are offered exclusive Committee bottlings. Members also receive invitations to special gatherings, tastings and events. The Committee, chaired by Jackie Thomson, is free to join at ardbeg.com/en-gb/committee.

Awards

Ardbeg is one of the world’s most highly awarded smoky single malt whiskies.  Since 2008, Ardbeg has won more than 50 gold and double gold medals in key whisky competitions.  Ardbeg has twice been awarded ‘World’s Best Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards (2010, 2013).  At the 2014 Global Icons of Whisky Awards, Mickey Heads was voted ‘Distillery Manager of the Year’.  The following year, Ardbeg’s expressions took the top three spots in Whisky Advocate magazine’s review of the best single malt Scotch whiskies under US$100.  Meanwhile, both Ardbeg Corryvreckan and Ardbeg Uigeadail have been awarded gold medals at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Ardbeg 10 Years Old also won the Best Single Malt Scotch 10 Year Old at the International Whisky Competition 2019, while the Ardbeg Distillery won the Distillery of the Year 2019. In 2020, the International Whisky Competition awarded Ardbeg Corryvreckan first place for Best Single Malt Scotch, Best Single Malt Scotch (No Age Statement), Best cask Strength (Over 57% ABV), Best Peated Scotch and Best Islay Single Malt. Ardbeg Wee Beastie also earned first place for Best Single Malt Scotch Under 10 Year Old and The Ardbeg Distillery achieved another Distillery of the Year award. In 2021, Dr Bill Lumsden was awarded Master Distiller of the Year for the fifth time, and Ardbeg Uigeadail won World Whisky of the Year in the International Whisky Competition. In 2022, at the International Whisky Competition, Ardbeg was awarded The Distillery of the Year Award, while Ardbeg Ardcore won first place in Best New Scotch Release, Best Peated Single Malt and Best Islay Single Malt.

The Glenmorangie Company

The Company is one of the most renowned and innovative distillers and marketers of Scotch whisky brands worldwide and is part of Moët Hennessy, the wine and spirits division of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. Headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, the Company produces Glenmorangie Single Highland Malt whisky and Ardbeg Single Islay Malt. 

Responsible Drinking

Ardbeg and The Glenmorangie Company advocate responsible drinking and suggest that drinkers savour Ardbeg whiskies in moderation and in line with recommended daily guidelines for alcohol consumption.

Provided by Ardbeg Distillery